England have powered through the first two games of their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a 69-7 thrashing of the United States at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland and a 92-3 victory against Samoa at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.
John Mitchell’s Red Roses ran riot on Wearside, as Ellie Kildunne starred with two tries and two assists, while Jess Breach and Lark Atkin-Davies also notched braces in an 11-try victory.
Mitchell’s side completed a fourth straight Six Nations Grand Slam in April, and they are still in hot form on home turf as Jess Breached notched a hat-trick in Northampton, while Megan Jones added a brace in a 13-try victory over the Islanders to seal qualification for the knockout stages.
The Red Roses were beaten finalists in five of the last six World Cups, with a win over Canada 11 years ago sandwiched by five losses at the hands of New Zealand, but are looking like the team to beat as they look to take back the title.
Should they top the group ahead of Australia, there is a good chance they will face either Scotland or dark horses Canada in the quarter-finals. The draw could also see them face France in the semi-finals – Les Bleus were unbeaten before facing England in the Six Nations finale earlier this year, but lost by a one-point margin at Twickenham.
When are England playing?
As the tournament hosts, England have been drawn into pool A and played the tournament’s curtain-raiser at the Stadium of Light.
How to watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup
TV Channel: The BBC hold the exclusive rights to broadcast the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the UK. Select matches will be broadcast on terrestrial TV, with specific broadcast schedules to be confirmed in due course. Live commentary will be available throughout the tournament via BBC Radio Five Live.
Live stream: All Rugby World Cup matches will be streamed live online via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Follow the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Standard Sport!
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 pool stage schedule
United States 31-31 Australia
England vs Australia (5pm BST, Brighton)
Japan vs Spain (12pm BST, York)
Italy vs Brazil (2pm BST, Northampton)
New Zealand vs Ireland (2.45pm BST, Brighton)
France vs South Africa (4.45pm BST, Northampton)
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
PD |
Pts |
|
1 |
England |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
+151 |
10 |
|
2 |
Australia |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+73 |
8 |
|
3 |
USA |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
-2 |
8 |
|
4 |
Samoa |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
-222 |
0 |
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
PD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Canada |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
+121 |
15 |
|
2 |
Scotland |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
+23 |
10 |
|
3 |
Fiji |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
-69 |
5 |
|
4 |
Wales |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
-75 |
2 |
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
PD |
Pts |
|
1 |
New Zealand |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
+89 |
10 |
|
2 |
Ireland |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
+44 |
10 |
|
3 |
Japan |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
-62 |
1 |
|
4 |
Spain |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
-71 |
0 |
|
Pos |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
PD |
Pts |
|
1 |
South Africa |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
+65 |
10 |
|
2 |
France |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
+103 |
9 |
|
3 |
Italy |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
-29 |
2 |
|
4 |
Brazil |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
-139 |
0 |
QF1 – Winner of Pool C vs Runners-up of Pool D (1.00pm BST, Exeter)
QF2 – Winner of Pool B vs Runners-up of Pool A (4.00pm BST, Bristol)
QF3 – Winner of Pool D vs Runners-up of Pool C (1.00pm BST, Exeter)
QF4 – Winner of Pool A vs Runners-up of Pool B (4.00pm BST, Bristol)
SF1 – Winner of QF1 vs Winner of QF2 (7.00pm BST, Bristol)
SF2 – Winner of QF3 vs Winner of QF4 (3.30pm BST, Bristol)
Loser of SF1 vs Loser of SF2 (12.30pm BST, Twickenham)
Winner of SF1 vs Winner of SF2 (4.00pm BST, Twickenham)
